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Office of Senate President

The Senate President is a constitutional officer who leads the Florida Senate for a two-year term. The President, who is elected by members of the Senate, manages the operations of the Senate and presides over its sessions. The President’s many duties include: selecting a Majority Leader, appointing Senators to standing Senate committees, appointing committee chairs, and appointing citizens to a variety of boards and commissions.

Initiatives

Thank you for visiting the Florida Senate’s website. We hope you find the wealth of information useful and look forward to receiving your feedback. I have included below a few issues I plan to focus on during the next two years.

I have a vision that Florida’s universities can become national elite destination universities, like the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. To that end, we are developing a comprehensive plan to boost the strength and competitiveness of our state’s higher education system as our primary economic engine to drive vibrant, sustainable economic development and growth in high-paying jobs.

Issue Two: Let’s stop harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Since January 2016, more than 225 billion gallons of polluted water have been released from Lake Okeechobee East into the St. Lucie River, while 549 billion gallons of polluted water have been released west out the Caloosahatchee River and to Southwest Florida. These discharges have left in their wake destroyed estuaries, polluted water, and closed businesses. I know we can find a better way.

Issue Three: Let’s not criminalize adolescence.

Our youth today are being arrested and charged for criminal acts that were once considered childhood mistakes and lack of judgement or maturity. Instead of helping our youth to learn positively from their mistakes like we once did, they are being put in the juvenile justice system, which then creates a criminal record that could potentially follow them for their rest of their lives. We cannot and should not tolerate serious wrongdoing by young people, but at the same time, let’s not criminalize adolescence.

Issue Four: Let’s embrace the Constitution.

For me this means limited government, the supremacy of the individual, due process, and equal protection. Also, one of the most important responsibilities we have under our Constitution is to pass a balanced budget each year. I believe that within our $82 billion budget, we can fund the priorities of today instead of simply duplicating the decisions of yesterday. We will do this in an open and transparent manner that includes public input throughout this session.

We look forward to hearing from you. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (850) 487-5229.

Leadership Team

Legislative Appointments

The President of the Senate has appointing authority for a diverse number of boards and commissions throughout the state. These boards and commissions include:

Advisory Council for the Website Information Clearinghouse on Developmental Disabilities

The Advisory Council provides assistance to the Department of Health relating to the needs of patients and families of patients with developmental disabilities in the establishment of the information clearinghouse on developmental disabilities.

The James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program works within the Department of Health to provide a perpetual annual source of funding for research in the areas of tobacco-related cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pulmonary disease. The BRAC is charged with developing the strategic objectives and priorities of the programs, and with recommending which research proposals should be funded, based on the scientific merit of the proposals.

The Child Welfare Results Oriented Accountability System Technical Advisory Panel is established within the Department of Children and Families to advise the Department on the implementation of the results-oriented accountability program.

To develop a proposal for establishing and implementing a coordinated child assessment system for the School Readiness Program, the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment.

Total Number of Members: 14
(The Senate President and House Speaker are directed to jointly appoint 14 members.)

Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys

The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys studies adverse societal conditions effecting black males including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, drug abuse, death rates, school performance, and health issues and propose measures to correct the underlying causes of these issues.

The Elderly Affairs Advisory Council advises the Department of Elderly Affairs in decisions regarding organizational issues and additions or reductions to the department's responsibilities. It also assists the Secretary of Elderly Affairs in carrying out the duties of the department.

The Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council recommends solutions to the Board of Governors and the State Surgeon General regarding methods to control and prevent cancer throughout the state.

The Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research Scientific Advisory Council advises a coordinated research effort to treat and cure cancerous and non-cancerous brain tumors. The Council works with The Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Institute of the University of Florida who collaborate with other brain cancer research institutions in a unified effort to cure brain tumors.

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women studies the changing and developing roles of women in American society. The Commission addresses issues that include domestic violence, gender equity, family, employment, education, and healthcare.

The Constitution Revision Commission reviews Florida's Constitution and proposes changes for voter consideration. The Commission meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida to receive public testimony, identifying issues, performing research, and recommends ballot language to the Secretary of State.

Total Number of Members: 37

Total Number of Members appointed by the Governor: 15

Total Number of Members appointed by the President of the Senate: 9

Total Number of Members appointed by the Speaker of the House: 9

Florida Council on Arts and Culture

The Florida Council on Arts and Culture advises the Secretary of State regarding cultural grant funding and on all matters pertaining to culture in Florida.

The Florida Education Fund board of directors oversees the Florida Education Fund; a state program which matches half of the funds contributed by private sources in order to fund scholarships and educational opportunities in the state of Florida.

The Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council facilitates cooperation between the State Government and Florida's faith-based and community-based organizations in order to deliver services more effectively.

The Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council advises the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and the Office of Film and Entertainment on developing, marketing, and promoting the state's entertainment industry.

The Florida Greenways and Trails Council manages the maintenance of Florida's greenways and trails. They are tasked with overseeing conservation corridors, greenbelts, recreational trails, scenic corridors, reserves, regional parks and preserves, ecological sites, freshwater and saltwater paddling trails, and other nature-centric roadways throughout the state.

Florida Health Choices' address the need to have access to affordable, quality health care by creating a competitive market for purchasing health insurance and health services. Insurers and other companies will be able to offer more flexible insurance options and other products geared toward businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

The Florida Historical Commission prioritizes the preservation of historical and archeological sites in the State of Florida. They also provide programs to encourage public interest and involvement in the preservation of Florida's historic and archeological sites.

Florida is for Veterans, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation created within the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. To promote Florida as a veteran-friendly state to retired and recently separated military personnel; to promote the value of military skillsets to businesses in the state; to facilitate workforce training to veterans to meet the needs of employers; and to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of veterans.

Florida Small Business Development Center Network Statewide Advisory Board

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network Statewide Advisory Board advises, counsels, and confers with the statewide director on matters pertaining to the operation of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. The purpose of the network is to serve emerging and established for-profit, privately held businesses that maintain a place of business in the state.

The Higher Education Coordinating Council advises the Legislature, the Board of Governors, and the State Board of Education in order to promote coordination and consistency between educational institutions throughout Florida from Kindergarten to graduate school.

Preeminent State Research University Institute for Online Learning Advisory Board

The Preeminent State Research University Institute for Online Learning Advisory Board offers expert advice in the development and implementation of a business plan to expand the offering of high-quality, fully online baccalaureate degree programs.

Total Number of Members: 5

Total Number of Members appointed by the Governor: 1

Total Number of Members appointed by the President of the Senate: 1

Total Number of Members appointed by the Speaker of the House: 1

Public Service Commission Nominating Council

The Public Service Commission Nomination Council nominates candidates to the Governor to fill vacancies on the Public Service Commission; a body which ensures Floridians receive services like natural gas, electricity, telephone, water, and wastewater in a safe affordable manner.

The SCRIPPS Florida Funding Corporation Board of Directors oversees legislative appropriations made to the SCRIPPS biomedical research institute and campus. It also ensures that SCRIPPS upholds its contractual obligations to the state in exchange for these funds.

The CAP renders advice on the effectiveness of the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program and the difficulties encountered by small business. They review information for stationary air pollution sources to assure the information is understandable to the small business community.

The Technology Advisory Council is established within the Agency for State Technology (AST). The council may make recommendations to the executive director of the AST on matters pertaining to enterprise IT policies, standards, services, and architecture. The executive director of AST shall consult with the council with regard to executing the duties and responsibilities of the agency related to statewide IT strategic planning and policy.

Total Number of Members: 7

Total Number of Members appointed by the Governor: 4

Total Number of Members appointed by the President of the Senate: 1

Total Number of Members appointed by the Speaker of the House: 1

Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Advisory Council

The Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Advisory Council advises and reviews a statewide program aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco usage among youth, adults, and pregnant women. The program includes the funding of educational marketing campaigns, community and youth programs, as well as counseling and referral services to those struggling with tobacco use related habits or diseases.

Total Number of Members: 23

Total Number of Members appointed by the Governor: 4

Total Number of Members appointed by the President of the Senate: 2

Total Number of Members appointed by the Speaker of the House: 2

Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., Board of Directors

The Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., Board of Directors administers the Recovery Fund for the benefit of disproportionately affected counties that experienced economic damage from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Total Number of Members: 5

Total Number of Members appointed by the Governor: 0

Total Number of Members appointed by the President of the Senate: 1

Total Number of Members appointed by the Speaker of the House: 1

Workgroup on Affordable Housing

To develop recommendations for addressing the state’s affordable housing needs.